Vote Postponed on Double Bay Rooftop Cinema

A council vote on the proposal for a roof top cinema at Double Bay has been deferred until next month, after council officers received last minute third party correspondence in relation to the proposal plans.

This latest outcome from council has the project’s developer Fivex Commercial Property disappointed but determined.

Lesli Berger, head of Fivex Commercial Property, “I don’t really know where the process is leading us, but one thing I know is that I never give up. We will not rest until Double Bay has a cinema.”

As part of the application, Fivex Commercial Property commissioned Acoustic Engineers Noise & Sound Services to review the acoustic issues at the site. Fivex Commercial Property then had that report peer reviewed by Wilkinson Murray, who verified the process and recommendations of the first report.

“These are highly respected, if not the most respected companies in their field” said Mr Berger.

While the officer for environmental health has recommended approval for the plans based on reports, the Council Officer for town planning still has reservations about the plans, believing the acoustic issues have not been addressed properly.

“Obviously we are disappointed with the council officer recommending refusal, I’ve had a very productive on site meeting with the councillors and I’ve modified plans and also proposed a number of conditions in order to address issues raised by councillors.”

Mr Berger sees the impasse as a symptom of a bigger problem.

“Innovation is highly discouraged in the current NSW town planning system and with its project we are a victim of that system. Now that is not criticism of Woollahra Council, they do a very good job in a system that, frankly, sucks.”

Woollahra Council’s Development Control Committee is due to meet again on January 18, 2010.

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By StreetCorner Staff 16/12/2009